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The May 2021 Auction: Part 2

Auction # 658 | View Auction Schedule and Details
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Auction Ends: 5/13/2021 6:00:00 PM PDT

Lot #1019. Fontodi Flaccianello Della Pieve 1996

Description: Consists of 1 Bottle, 0.75L
Score: 93+ AG.
"The 1996 Flaccianello della Pieve is very, very tight. Hints of inner sweetness struggle to emerge from beneath an imposing wall of tannin. The 1996 still requires quite a bit of patience, but it starts to open up in the glass and seems to have enough fruit to drink well once the tannins soften. I have to say I am intrigued by the 1996. This complete vertical of Fontodi’s flagship Flaccianello was fascinating on so many levels. Needless to say, the opportunity to check in on prior vintages and see how they are developing was a big privilege. Even more importantly in this case, though, was following the path proprietor Giovanni Manetti took in his quest to establish Flaccianello as one of the great wines of Tuscany. Flaccianello is 100% Sangiovese from Panzano’s famed Conca d’Oro, an amphitheater of steep hillside vineyards just outside the town center. Along with San Giusto a Rentennano’s Percarlo, Montevertine’s Le Pergole Torte, Isole e Olena’s Cepparello, and a few others, it is one of the great, pure-breed Sangioveses made in Chianti Classico. Interestingly, Flaccianello became a 100% Sangiovese only 1985. Prior to that Manetti used 15% white grapes in his blend, a practice that was obligatory at the time in Chianti Classico. Originally conceived as a single-vineyard wine, in 2001 Flaccianello became a selection of the estate’s best fruit, a decision Manetti made as his vineyard holdings grew to include a number of spectacular parcels in Panzano’s Pecille district. Since then, Flaccianello has routinely been among the most exciting wines in Tuscany. The early vintages up until 1990 spent about one year in French oak barrels, 50% new. In the mid-1990s Manetti increased the period of barrel aging to 18 months with the 1997, and then to 24 months with the 2006. Today the percentage of new barrels is close to 100%. Fontodi Flaccianello Key Points: 100% Sangiovese aged in French oak barrels Since 2001 made from the estate’s best fruit across a number of vineyards in Panzano’s historic Conca d’Oro, prior to that a strict single-vineyard wine. Flaccianello’s status as an icon wine is cemented beginning in 2001 One of the more powerful of the 100% Sangioveses from Chianti Classico" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com, Jun 2012
Provenance: The Multitude Cellar
Notes: High shoulder, lightly corroded capsule, lightly scuffed, lightly damp stained, lightly faded label.
Read about SWA's Six Point Inspection Process and how to read the condition notes.
Lot Location: Orange County
Estimate: $200

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